Recent violent incidents in San Francisco’s LGBTQ Castro neighborhood have prompted the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence Inc. to launch a new public safety campaign for the queer community. The drag nun philanthropic group has long been involved with such efforts.
“Safety First, Sexy Second” is a bold, cheeky, and essential initiative designed to help people navigate hookups safely – whether they meet at a bar, a party, cruising, or on dating apps like Grindr, Scruff, or Recon, according to a news release from the Sisters.
With a simple three-step process, “Safety First, Sexy Second” empowers individuals to protect themselves while keeping the fun alive, the release noted.
“Tragically, there has been a rise in hate crimes against gay men, queer, and trans people right here in San Francisco and around the country,” stated Sister Roma, who devised the campaign with Sister Shalita Corndog. “Our community has always looked out for one another, and this campaign is all about that tradition.”
Added Shalita, “The Sisters Care! We want everyone to have fun, explore freely, and feel sexy – but also make sure they’re taking steps to stay safe and be smart about their hookups.”
The Sisters’ new campaign is a three-step plan.
Buddy up: Choose a trusted friend to be your safety check-in; send screenshots of who you’re meeting and share your location.
Hookup: Be your sexy self and have fun.
Follow-up: Set a time to check in and let your buddy know that you’re safe or if you need help.
“Safety First, Sexy Second” will roll out through digital outreach, social media videos, and eye-catching outdoor ads at bus stops, bars, and community spaces, the release stated. A dedicated page is now live at thesisters.org/safetyfirst offering helpful tips and resources – and fun videos.
For over 45 years, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence have used humor, activism, and community engagement to spread messages of love, safety, and radical inclusivity. “Safety First, Sexy Second” is a modern extension of this mission – reminding everyone that taking care of each other is always sexy, the release stated.
This campaign is produced in partnership with Liberty Lane Films, a San Francisco-based LGBTQ+ owned film production company on a mission to redefine the boundaries of film, branding, and advertising through the power of impactful visual storytelling, according to the release. Learn more at libertylanefilms.com.
The videos were shot on location at The Academy, an LGBTQ social club in the Castro.
CCOP offers self-defense classes
In another nod to safety, Castro Community on Patrol, a volunteer organization, will offer its popular beginners self-defense class Saturday, April 5, from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 100 Diamond Street in the LGBTQ neighborhood.
Greg Carey, a gay man who’s chief of patrol for the organization, wrote in an email to supporters that there have been several recent incidents.
“We have been made aware of four assaults on gay men in the past two weeks; three in the Castro and one in the leather (South of Market) district,” he wrote. “One of the Castro events is under police investigation while the others have been reported on social media and might not yet been formally reported. The news has raised concern by many.”
As the Bay Area Reporter has reported, a bar employee was beaten in front of the Castro Theatre on March 9. On March 19, an alleged shoplifter and a Walgreens employee were both arrested after a physical altercation outside the store at Castro and 18th streets.
Carey noted that CCOP “trained hundreds of people with this class with great feedback from prior students. Having a plan and new tools can produce a better outcome if you are accosted by someone who seems to intend harm.”
Class size is limited because of the need for space for the physical portion of the learning. The cost is $30 per student (over 18 years of age) and requires advance reservations. To sign up, click here.
SF installs new speed cameras
Mayor Daniel Lurie last week launched San Francisco’s automated speed camera enforcement program, making it the first city in California to implement this life-saving technology, the mayor’s office stated in a news release. Speeding is the number one cause of serious injuries and fatalities on city streets, and speed cameras are proven to improve safety, noted the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency.
“No matter how you get around our city, you should be able to do it without fearing for your life. That is why I am proud that San Francisco is now the first city in California to implement automated speed cameras,” Lurie stated. “Speeding is the number one cause of traffic injuries and fatalities in this city. It is my job as mayor to protect our residents and visitors, and that is what we are doing today.”
Cameras will operate at 33 locations across San Francisco in the city's High Injury Network, the 12% of streets with the highest concentration of severe injuries and fatal collisions, the mayor’s office noted. Once all the safety cameras are activated, there will be a 60-day no-fee warning period prior to citations being issued. Speed penalties are set by state law and will start at $50 for driving 11 to 15 miles per hour over the posted speed limit ($25 low-income fee).
There is a camera in the Castro/Eureka Valley neighborhood, which is located on Market Street, and encompasses Danvers to Douglass streets, according to SFMTA.
SFMTA leaders noted the importance of the program.
“We have acted swiftly to bring this proven tool to San Francisco to shift driving behavior and make streets safer for all," stated SFMTA Director of Transportation Julie Kirschbaum. "We are deeply grateful to our community partners who made this possible – not only because this program will help prevent serious injuries, but because safer streets are the foundation of the thriving, connected San Francisco we all want to see – where streets are inviting spaces for everyone, no matter how they travel.”
A map of the safety cameras, fee schedule, and more information is at sfmta.com/projects/speed-safety-cameras.
San Bernardino college to name center after Sarria
[Editor's note: After publication of this item, the Bay Area Reporter learned that the naming honor had been rescinded by the college. See here.]
An LGBTQ student resource center at a San Bernardino community college will be named after the late San Francisco drag queen José Julio Sarria, a gay Latino veteran who left a lasting impact on politics and the queer community.
Victor Valley College in Victorville has announced the grand opening of its first-ever LGBTQ+ Student Resource Center. The opening will take place Friday, April 4, from noon to 5 p.m. on campus in Building 30. (18422 Bear Valley Road, Victorville, CA.)
According to an announcement on Facebook, the José Sarria Pride Center opening will be a celebration of inclusivity, community, and history. Attendees will enjoy a resource fair, live music, food, and beverages, alongside an opportunity to connect with key LGBTQ+ organizations.
In partnership with the Jose Sarria Foundation, the Imperial Court, WOW Clinic, St. John’s Wellness Center, the High Desert Pride Center, and Film Bliss Studios, the grand opening will provide essential resources for LGBTQ+ students and allies, the announcement stated.
The event also pays tribute to the legacy of Sarria, a trailblazing advocate and the first openly gay candidate to run for public office in 1961, when he unsuccessfully sought a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Sarria founded the Imperial Council of San Francisco, which continues today as a philanthropic organization and is the mother court of other chapters. Sarria died in 2013.
“This center represents a commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for LGBTQ+ students at Victor Valley College,” stated Jane Montgomery, Ph.D., a faculty member in chemistry. “We are proud to be making history and providing a dedicated space where students can find support, resources, and community.”
Updated, 3/28/25: The news brief item about a community college building being named for the late drag queen and activist José Julio Sarria is no longer accurate as the school has rescinded the naming.